Whether you are a seasoned fire pit enthusiast or new to the thrills of fire pit ownership, the demands of your outdoor fire experience are likely the same: the necessity of having the proper wood for your fire pit. Knowing what is the best wood to burn in a fire pit can make a difference. This post aims to provide comprehensive guidance on what wood to burn in a fire pit, what wood not to burn in a fire pit, and the best woods for fire pit. By analyzing the characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of various types of wood, we can assist you in understanding the best materials that can be used in a wood fire pit to maximize performance and safety.
What Wood to Burn in a Fire Pit:
Choosing the wood that you burn in the fire pit is important because different woods have different burning properties that will help create an efficient and effective fire for your fire pit enjoyment.
Seasoned Wood:
Seasoned wood is a must for a clean-burning fire. The drying period is key for properly seasoned wood, which is typically a minimum of 6 months to 2 years. This curing reduces the timber’s moisture content, making it easier to ignite. Seasoned timber burns more efficiently and results in a hotter-burning flame, leaving far less smoke and creosote remnants. This is vital to the safe and efficient operation of your fire. Green timber should not be burned as the high moisture content will create too much smoke and not burn efficiently.
Wood Chips:
For cooking and smoking, wood chips are small pieces of wood that are also thin. These chips add aroma and flavor to your fire pit fire, however do not offer a prolonged flame and are quickly consumed. Wood chips are best used in conjunction with hardwood to add flavor and aroma to your fire, however they are not burned for heat. They should be used very sparingly, as they are supplementary to the main fuel source. For more information on using wood chips in fire pits, visit our post on “wood chips“.
Beech:
Known for its excellent burning qualities, beech is a hardwood that burns consistently and with minimal smoke. It provides a reliable and steady flame that produces a heat that is celebrated for its warmth and ambiance. An excellent choice for an extended fire, beech burns long and hot, which makes it a great choice for warmth. Being a dense hardwood, beech produces significance heat output while requiring less refueling.
Birch:
Birch is a popular wood for burning in a fire pit because it is easy to ignite and burns bright with a pleasing aroma. Birch burns hot and clean, which appeals to those who want a fire that is efficient and charming. Like softwoods, such as pine, birch burns quickly, so it will not last as long as denser hardwoods and ideally would require more replenishing.
Elm:
Elm is a fine choice for burning in a fire pit, not as easy to ignite as beech, but still burns well. Elm produces a moderate heat with moderate smoke. Elm is less dense than oak or hickory, but still provides a good balance of heat and time for burn. Elm is a sound choice for a fire pit as it is an easy to acquire wood for a reliable heat source without excessive smoke.
Wood Pellets:
Wood pellets are a great source of fuel for fire pits. They are made from compressed sawdust and wood shavings. They produce a minimal amount of smoke and ash, and have a high energy density. Additionally, they are clean and easy to store. Wood pellets are a good option for outdoor gatherings because they burn for a long time, providing consistent heat. They are also environmentally friendly because they are made using upcycled wood waste. For more information on wood pellets in a fire pit, read our post on “can you burn wood pellets in a fire pit“.
For detailed insights on the amount of wood required for a perfect fire pit, visit our guide on How Much Wood is Needed for a Fire Pit. This will help you plan and maintain an efficient fire.
What Wood Not to Burn in a Fire Pit:
Using the wrong type of wood in your fire pit means, going from a wonderful fire to a flaming disaster. Here’s an in-depth look at the types of wood you should avoid and stay away from and how they can adversely affect your fire pit experience.
Painted Wood:
Painted wood is a big problem for fire pits because the paint has heavy metals, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and other unhealthy chemicals. When burned, these toxins are released into the air and pose several risks to both human health and the environment. Specifically, the fact that paint creates an excessive amount of smoke can make your fire less enjoyable, or even unsafe. Secondly, the toxic soot particles from burning paint wood can cause respiratory problems, skin irritations, and other health issues. Serious health issues from breathing in lacquer fumes can happen over time. For more information on the dangers of burning painted wood, check out our detailed blog post on “painted wood“.
Green Wood:
Green Wood refers to freshly cut wood that has not been seasoned, making it a poor choice for use in a fire pit. It can be difficult to light, and has poor fire performance. Freshly cut wood contains a lot of moisture, and it will burn inefficiently and create more smoke and creosote than seasoned wood. Additionally, the fire is not as hot, and the wood is more reluctant to catch fire, so you don’t end up using the wood efficiently. You’ll also find a lot of steam, which could carry away the heat into the sky instead of bringing it into your house. High smoke levels are a nuisance, and they can be bad for your eyes and lungs. To learn more about why green wood is unsuitable for fire pits, visit our guide “can you burn green wood in a fire pit“.
Pine Wood:
Pine Wood is a softer wood that is more accessible, widely available and is less expensive than hard wood, but due to its high resin content it would not be ideal in your fire pit. The high resin content makes it a dangerous wood to burn compared to hard woods. The excess smoke and buildup can be a nuisance to your fireplace and neighboring homes in the area. Pine is also a soft wood, which means you’ll burn through it quickly, and you will spend a lot of time keeping up with the constant refueling. For a better understanding of pine wood’s drawbacks, explore our blog post on “pine wood“.
Wet Wood:
Wet Wood is another type of wood that should not be used. Wet wood and Green wood share the same poor burning properties, high moisture content, which leads to poor performance in combustion. Wet wood will create excessive smoke, lower the heat output, and make it difficult to start and keep a fire. Burning wet wood might increase the amount of creosote that builds up in your fire pit, which is a fire risk. It can be both frustrating and time-consuming trying to start and keep wet wood burning as it is harder to ignite and burns inconsistently. Burning wet wood also encourages rust and corrosion on a fire pit over time as the wood contains additional moisture. For tips on handling wet wood and why it should be avoided, read our post on “wet wood“.
Treated Wood:
Treated Wood is made to resist pests, decay, and other environmental elements; however, the chemicals used in treating the wood can be hazardous when burned. Some of the chemicals in treated wood create hazardous fumes when burned, which can create health hazards to those around the fire pit. Treated wood can emit harmful smoke into the air that affects air quality. Treated wood can contain preservatives that include arsenic, chromium, and copper, and these substances can be poisonous if inhaled or released into the environment. There is also a risk of toxic runoff when burning treated wood, which can be hazardous to the environment. For insights into the risks associated with burning treated wood, see our post on “treated wood“.
Rotten Wood:
Avoid using rotten wood in your fire pit due to its tendency to be damp, which makes it less effective at burning. The decomposition process will also cause the wood to lose density, offering you a weak fire with very little heat output. When it burns in your fire pit, it tends to produce more smoke and unwanted odors. Additionally, if the wood is decaying, there is an increased likelihood that it will be hosting mold or mildew, which can release harmful spores into the air. With the breaking down of the wood fibers, the structural integrity of the rotten wood will be suspect, and it would be less likely to maintain a consistent and stable fire. For additional information concerning why rotten wood is not good to use in your fire pit, check out our article on the subject of “rotten wood“.
Stained Wood:
Stained wood, like painted wood, has various chemical finishes applied to it, which can also emit harmful fumes when burned. The fumes are generally unpleasant but are harmful to indoor and outdoor air quality. Indoor air quality specialists also agree that some wood finishes treated with high VOC and toxic stains can release especially harmful fumes when warmed, which is hazardous to your health. The chemicals in the finishes and coatings were put in place to resist the effects of the elements, specifically the sun and rain. However, the chemicals can release carcinogens when burned, causing serious risks to those in the area. Uneven flames and burning patterns will result if stained wood is used, which is not reliable for heat consistency. For more details on why stained wood is unsuitable for fire pits, refer to our article on “stained wood“.
Cedar:
Cedar is often used in outdoor settings and known for its aromatic qualities. Nevertheless, burning cedar’s high oil content might cause too much smoke and soot, creating a mess and obscuring your view around the fire. Also, cedar’s oils could cause the wood to burn unevenly and with hotter flames, which may not be best for all fire pit setups. While the scent of burning cedar is lovely, the smoke and soot might be overpowering, creating a less enjoyable area around the fire pit. In addition, the high oil content can increase the risk of sparking and popping, which could be a safety hazard. To learn more about using cedar for fire pits, visit our post “can you burn cedar in a fire pit“.
Driftwood:
Driftwood often contains high levels of salt and other impurities. Burning driftwood can mean burning corrosive smoke, damaging your fire pit. Because of the salt content, your fire pit’s metal components will wear quicker due to the high salt content, and the impurities can cause the fire to burn unevenly. Due to the process in which it is formed, driftwood burns unpredictably, making it less efficient and harder to manage. Burning driftwood will also release chlorine gas when it burns, which can be dangerous to your health and the environment. Burning driftwood will also result in excessive smoke and soot which can take away from your overall experience of your fire pit. You can check out our blog about using driftwood for more information on why you shouldn’t use it.
If you’re curious about how different woods affect heat output, explore our post on How Much Heat Different Woods Give. This will guide you in selecting the right wood for optimal warmth.
Best Woods for Fire Pit:
As you may know, picking the best wood for your fire pit has a lot to do with how long your fire will last, how difficult the wood will be to start on fire and how fast it will burn, how your fire will smell, and how much cleanup you have when all is said and done. Here are some of the top choices:
Oak:
Oak is considered one of the best woods to burn due to its high density, producing a substantial amount of heat. Oak also burns slow and long, giving off a good amount of heat. It is known to produce very little smoke when it burns, which makes it great for outdoor fires. Its slow burn rate means you’ll spend less time tending to the fire and more time enjoying the warmth. Oak is a readily in various regions and its durability and energy-efficient properties, ensure an excellent source of continuous firewood.
Hickory:
Hickory is another extremely popular fire pit wood. It is known for its long burn times due to its high energy content and burns really hot burning hot. Furthermore, it imparts a sweet aroma to the outdoor fire pit experience. It’s dense nature and hot burn allow for a robust, consistent flame, making it a popular selection among fire pit users and those who love to cook and smoke meat. It is ideal for cooler evening fire pit sessions to heat all patrons around the fire pit.
Maple:
Maple is known for its light sweet smell, and burns extremely clean. It is to prepare and handle for firewood, making it a very manageable outdoor fire pit choice. Due to its moderate rate of burn and ability to maintain a balanced heat level, maple is commonly used by those seeking a consistent flame. In addition to maple’s sweet, light smell, the even and stable burn rate of maple wood provides a family-friendly and safe burning wood experience for your family’s loved ones.
Ash:
Ash wood is valued for its ability to burn well without being fully seasoned. The wood burns steady, creates good heat and very little smoke. Ash is easy to split and manage, making it a beginner-friendly choice for fire pit users. The lower moisture content of the wood leads to quick ignition and an efficient burn that will quickly provide heat and light. Ash’s resistance to various weather conditions makes it an adaptable wood for year-long use in the fire pit, making it a reliable addition to your fire pit supply no matter the season.
By deciding to utilize these high-quality woods for your fire pit, your experience with burning in a fire pit will be more enjoyable and efficient, optimizing both heat output and burn time and reducing efforts related to smoke and maintenance. When firewood is properly seasoned, it can help create a fire pit that becomes a focus of warmth, comfort, and ambiance for any gathering or moment spent outside. Regardless of whether you are having a lively get-together or a quiet evening under the stars, the right wood can make the difference in how your experience with a fire pit turns out.
